About this project

Finally a film about a Badass Mo-Fo you can relate to!

Super Zero is a film that celebrates the average, the eccentric, and the powerless. No matter how much you might think you'll never have your moment to shine, don't ever give up because anything can happen. It's time to show that the ordinary can also be extraordinary!

With a unique balance of high concept sci-fi/horror, awesome comic book inspired action, and irreverent comedy, Super Zero is an "Epic Win" for the regular guy.

THE CORE STORY: At the heart of Super Zero lies a simple universal theme. "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

The film follows 19-year-old engineering prodigy Josh Hershberg, an overweight, introverted and terminally ill gamer kid who has given up hope that he matters to the world. As Josh contemplates what future, if any, is worth looking forward to, a zombie apocalypse breaks out and quickly ravages the planet.

Josh suffers from a rare form of brain cancer. For some reason, this tricks the zombies into sensing he's already dead and they simply ignore him. As the world crumbles around him, Josh takes advantage of his condition. He utilizes his engineering expertise to craft ridiculously powerful weapons to obliterate the undead and save the rest of humanity.

Think of Josh as a cross between Leonardo da Vinci and 'Lardass' from Stand By Me.

Unlike most films, Josh isn't asked to change who he is. He's the same shy, geek-culture lover he's always been. He's just like so many of us; a good person who tries hard, but has never been given the platform to succeed. But, since the world is flipped upside down, he now possesses 'God Mode' and is the most powerful human being on the planet!

THE APOCALYPSE: As a result of unprecedented events, the world's water supply is vanishing. Luckily, the Mars rover has discovered a massive untapped reservoir under the Red Planet's surface.

A sample of that liquid is on its way back home to be studied when the rocket carrying the payload crashes while re-entering Earth's atmosphere. Society quickly learns this water is not our salvation, but instead carries a horrific microbe that infects the population.

Dude, what would inspire such an insane premise?

First, I wanted to make something I have never seen. Sure some films have touched on a few elements contained in Super Zero, but nobody has embraced being average in such a wholehearted way.

Josh can be any one of us, just a regular person dealing with issues and shortcomings. He represents who we are and the potential we might all possess. His story doesn't hinge on being given powers that completely change his being. Even though this film takes place in a fictionalized world, there is a certain plausibility within that universe to how Josh becomes a symbol of what true power can be.

As far as genre inspiration, I have worked as a writer/director for video game advertising campaigns for a number of years. I've been lucky enough to get access to some amazing brands to create many well known trailers and commercials.

Here are some examples of my work:

My job is an extension of my a passion for sci-fi, horror, gaming and comics. I love worlds that contain the awesome and the badass as much as the funny and the ridiculous. There's a place for all of it in the characters and stories I cherish.
Specifically for Super Zero, I love stories that deal with the end of the world because done right, you can bend reality without breaking believability. As a filmmaker, making extraordinary circumstances seem plausible is a really fun sandbox to play in. Simply building the promise of that world is not enough for me. What if I could tell a great personal story within that construct?

This was my goal: to write an entertaining, larger than life tale, but keep it grounded with a compelling, character driven narrative. If I could do that, then I was confident this could be a special project that people could get behind and champion.

The other creative leader of our film is Cinematographer Idan Menin. Here's a video from Idan discussing his thoughts on the project.

So I dig the concept, but If I join the Super Zero team, how are you spending my money?

With Shane our Producer leading the helm, we have worked tirelessly to bring costs down as far as we could. Our mission statement is to make a film that combines independent spirit with studio quality production value. Yes, modern equipment allows people to tell a story simply using a Cannon 5D and a cracked copy of Final Cut Pro. But, our film requires many more tools to execute a vision that will be visually arresting as well as narratively compelling.

First looking at this project on paper, this would normally be a one week shoot. With as many locations, actors and set ups required to tell this story, we need ample time to get all the coverage. Happily we came up with a way to accomplish what we need in just 4 days, without sacrificing the integrity of the piece.

As a team working in LA, we are fortunate enough to know a great number of hardworking, talented and giving individuals. It also doesn't hurt to have a film that these people would love to see happen and will support. So, with our shortened production schedule, we have not only secured two cameras for the entire shoot, but they're the two newest editions of the Red Epic systems. These, ultra-high resolution devices are the most state-of-the-art digital capture cameras in filmmaking today and we are incredibly lucky to have them available for our film.

We're using the same exact cameras that were used on The Hobbit, Pacific Rim and Star Trek

Another major expense for the film are the digital effects. Super Zero has quite a bit of visual effects in it to authentically portray the end of the world, the violent aftermath and insane weapons our hero creates. It takes extremely qualified artists to accurately and realistically create these shots and elements. Done poorly or cheaply, these can really be a sore spot in a film and take the viewer out of the story.

Again we leaned on great people and were introduced to a stellar high end Hollywood visual effects company called Dilated Pixels who will make it all happen for just basic expenses because they are in love with the project. Here is their reel.

So if you do happen to raise more than your stated goals, how will you use it?

First, that would be beyond ridiculous. Sincerely, we would be blown away. BUT if we did raise more contributions than our goal, we would use those funds to elevate production value and push the look of our chosen esthetic by shooting on actual film.

Furthermore, we could afford to film additional bonus sequences that add more breath to the Super Zero universe. This project has been developed out to a whole long form franchise and I would love to seed in some of those cool elements into the short film. More money equals more apocalypse, more zombies, more blood and even more awesomeness.

Ok, I like this project, but one last thing, who the heck are you people?

We are three very committed, very passionate filmmakers who not only want to make a great, fun film, but have something to say in it. We are responsible, we are professional and most importantly, we love us some Zombies!

Thank you for taking the time to explore our campaign and consider our protect.

If you can believe in us, our hero and our story, we promise to make a film for you that is truly unbelievable.

Risks and challenges

Making a film is really freakin' hard. Making a good film is even harder. With so many moving parts in this art form, there are many hurdles and pitfalls to overcome and circumvent. I have been working in, and learning about, filmmaking for most of my life. The biggest thing you can do to be successful is surround yourself with the most knowledgeable, experienced and talented people you can to help in the process. A film is made in pre-production and planning for problems and having contingencies is a must. Every situation has a perfect solution. The key is to see the issue, not as a problem, but a different opportunity to do something better than you planned.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10 or more
About $10

SWEET! For being even more awesome you will receive the high five, credit on the website and a link to a password protected stream of the completed film during its festival run and prior to its public release.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

HELL YA! Besides the virtual high-five, the HD film stream and credit on the website; you'll receive a second video that chronicles the behind the scenes filmmaking process plus a high res digital production still from the film.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

BIG UPS! Not only do you get the virtual high-five, the HD film stream, credit on the website, the BTS video, and the production still; you'll get a signed cast and crew image and your name listed in the film's credits! AND for those who live in the LA area, a cameo as a zombie or a victim of the apocalypse in the film!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

PLAYA! For your amazing contribution, above and beyond the virtual high-five, production still, credit on the website/film, BTS video, and signed photo; you'll get a a full HD DOWNLOAD of the film, a signed cast and crew script and a FEATURED cameo as zombie or victim (must be in LA area)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

DAMN, YO! We are so honored by your pledge that on top of the high-five, production still, credit, BTS video, signed photo/script; featured cameo (those in LA area); You will also receive your very own signed Blu-Ray copy of the film with art-work!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

YOU DA MAN/WOMAN! We are moved by your participation in the project and joining the team. Above and beyond the high-five, Blu-Ray copy, production still, credit, BTS video, signed photo/script, featured cameo as zombie or victim (those in LA area), you will get your very own limited edition graphic t-shirt that is an exact replica of the one Josh wears in the film!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

WTF, BIG SHOT? The honor is all ours for believing in what we are doing this much. So you get the high-five, Blu-Ray copy, production still, credit, BTS video, signed photo/script, featured cameo as zombie or victim (those in LA area), limited edition t-shirt; you get a super cool, printed photo book of the shooting process with pictures and anecdotes written and signed by the director plus a set visit during production that includes lunch with the team. (must be in LA area).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

OH, HELL NO! Okay, so we are in such gratitude for your contribution that you get the high-five, Blu-Ray copy, production still, credit, BTS video, signed photo/script, featured cameo as zombie or victim (those in LA area), limited edition t-shirt, the photo book, and set visit (must be in LA area); you have now officially become an above the line partner in the film as you get an Associate Producer credit! Plus if you can make it to set, you can watch the film being made from the video village tent.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

'SUP, BILL GATES? You have our eternal thanks and gratitude. Not only do you get the high-five, Blu-Ray copy, production still, credit, BTS video, signed photo/script, featured cameo as zombie or victim (those in LA area), limited edition t-shirt, the photo book, and set visit (must be in LA area); you have earned a prestigious Executive Producer credit as well and are now part of the core team. Plus if you can make it to set, you get your very own "Producer's Chair" set up to watch the film being made from the video village tent.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

ONE BAD M-F'ER! Okay we are completely blown away by your amazing support to the project. So blown away that on top of the high-five, Blu-Ray copy, production still, credit, BTS video, signed photo/script, limited edition t-shirt, the photo book, set visit (must be in LA area), Executive Producer credit as well and are now part of the core team. your very own "Producer's Chair" in video village, you have earned the right to get blown away yourself as the "Hero Zombie" in the movie.